Running a contest on Instagram is one of the fastest ways to spike engagement, grow your following, and get people talking about your brand. But let’s be real — a blurry screenshot of the prize and a wall of text isn’t going to cut it. You need visuals that stop the scroll and make people want to enter. That’s where aesthetic contest story templates come in. I’ve rounded up 10 of the best templates for everything from announcing a giveaway to revealing the winner. Each one is designed to be eye-catching, on-brand, and super easy to customize. Whether you’re a blogger, a small business, or a content creator, these templates will level up your contest game.
1. The Classic Giveaway Announcement
This is the template you’ll use to kick off your contest. It usually features a bold headline like “GIVEAWAY” or “YOU COULD WIN” with a placeholder for your prize photo. The best versions include space for essential details: the prize, how to enter, and the deadline. Keep the text minimal — let the visuals do the talking. Use pastel gradients or clean white backgrounds to keep it fresh. You can find tons of free aesthetic instagram story templates online that include these announcement layouts.
2. The Voting / Selection Story
If your contest involves choosing between options — like a favorite product color or a fan’s photo — a voting template is a must. These usually have two clickable areas with labels like “Option A” and “Option B” or use a poll sticker. An aesthetic twist is to use custom icons or color-coded buttons. The background should be neutral so the options pop. If you need inspiration, check out some aesthetic story template downloads that specialize in interactive stories.
3. The Countdown Contest Story
Nothing builds hype like a countdown. This template uses the Instagram countdown sticker placed over a beautiful background — think soft clouds, marble textures, or abstract art. You can also create a custom countdown with numbers in a sleek font. Pair it with a line like “Only 3 days left to enter!” to create urgency. Countdown templates are a staple in many editable aesthetic story templates packs.
4. The Prize Reveal Story
Once you’ve announced the contest, you might want to dedicate a whole story to the prize. This template focuses on a high-quality photo of what’s up for grabs, surrounded by decorative elements like stars, sparkles, or floral frames. Add a short description and a “Swipe up to enter” or “Link in bio” call-to-action. It’s a great way to entice people who might have missed the initial announcement.
5. The Winner Announcement Story
The moment everyone’s been waiting for. A winner announcement template should feel celebratory but keep the focus on the winner. Use a screenshot of the winner’s comment or tag, plus their username highlighted in a stylish badge. Confetti or burst effects add to the excitement. You can also include a line like “Congratulations! DM us to claim your prize.” For a polished look, browse clean aesthetic instagram story templates that include winner layouts.
6. The Rules / How to Enter Story
Not every contest needs a lot of rules, but when you do, a dedicated rules template keeps things organized. Use a minimalist layout with numbered steps or bullet points. Stick to one rule per line — no one wants to read a paragraph on a story. Add small icons next to each rule for quick scanning. This template pairs well with aesthetic content creator story templates, which often include clean rule formats.
7. The User-Generated Content Showcase
If your contest encourages followers to post their own content (like a photo challenge), use a UGC showcase template to feature entries. Each entry gets its own story with the user’s handle and a caption. A grid layout with multiple entries works well too. This not only promotes engagement but also gives participants a shoutout, which they’ll love. Many aesthetic instagram story template ideas include UGC templates that are easy to customize.
8. The Collaboration Contest Story
When you team up with another brand or influencer, a collab contest template helps both parties look cohesive. Use a split-screen design with both logos, a joint prize description, and a unified color palette. Add a line like “We’ve joined forces!” to emphasize the partnership. This template is perfect for cross-promotion and can be found in many aesthetic story template downloads.
9. The Quiz or Trivia Contest Story
Trivia contests are super engaging because they require active participation. Use a template that presents a question with multiple-choice buttons. The background should be playful but not distracting — think chalkboard textures or neon colors. Reveal the correct answer in a follow-up story. This interactive format is a favorite among creators who want to test their audience’s knowledge.
10. The Photo Challenge Story
Photo challenges are a creative way to get followers involved. This template provides a theme prompt (e.g., “Show us your coziest corner”) with a photo frame and a place for the user’s name. Encourage participants to tag your account and use a specific hashtag. A sleek, minimalist design works best so the user’s photo stands out. For more ideas, check out free aesthetic instagram story templates that include challenge layouts.
11. The Tag-a-Friend to Enter Story
This classic engagement booster deserves its own template. Design a story that says “Tag a friend who needs to see this!” with a few clickable areas. Use arrows or hand-drawn circles to indicate where to tag. Keep the background light and airy with a single bold graphic. This template is simple but extremely effective at spreading the word.
12. The Final Call Story
When the contest is about to end, a final call template creates last-minute urgency. Use a large countdown timer, bold text like “LAST CHANCE,” and a high-energy background. Add a clear call-to-action. This template should be posted a few hours before the deadline to catch the procrastinators.
There you have it — 12 aesthetic contest story templates that will make your next giveaway or challenge pop. Whether you’re announcing a winner or building hype with a countdown, these templates keep your stories on-brand and engaging. Remember to mix and match, add your own photos, and have fun with it. For even more options, don’t miss our collections of editable aesthetic story templates and clean aesthetic instagram story templates that you can customize in minutes.
